Slap bracelet drinking straw

ABSTRACT

A dynamically deployable band. The dynamically deployable band includes a bistable metal spring body sized in length to coil around a limb of a human. The bistable metal spring body has a straight state and a coiled state. A straw is coupled to and spans along a substantial length of the bistable metal spring body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to slap bracelets and, more particularly, to slap bracelets with an attached drinking straw.

The use of a metal spring band as a wrist band is known in the prior art. Typically, a bistable spring with a fabric or plastic housing that is sized in length to surround the wrist of a wearer has been used as a novelty toy. The bistable spring wrist band has essentially two different physical states or possible positions. One position is elongated and somewhat rigid with the metal spring portion including an arcuate cross-section that houses potential energy that maintains the elongated spring in its semi-rigid position or at least fixed position. The bistable spring wrist band can also be deployed in a second position by impact along the arcuate mid-portion and its mid-section causing the entire spring body to coil up which if done correctly will wrap itself dynamically around the limb of the operator.

The present invention is an improvement over the slap bracelet in that it includes an additional tool and thereby provides for an additional use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a dynamically deployable band comprises: a bistable metal spring body sized in length to coil around a limb of a human and having a straight state and a coiled state; and a straw comprising an elongated tube having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end, wherein the straw is coupled to and spans along a substantial length of the bistable metal spring body.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of using a dynamically deployable band comprises steps of: providing the dynamically deployable band comprising: a bistable metal spring body having a straight state and a coiled state; and a straw comprising an elongated tube having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end, wherein the straw is coupled to and spans along a substantial length of the bistable metal spring body; grasping an end of the dynamically deployable band when the bistable metal spring body is in a straight position; and striking the dynamically deployable band against a limb, wherein the dynamically deployable band coils around the limb and thereby converts to the coiled state.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a first use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a second use;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a folded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention includes a dynamically deployable band 10. The dynamically deployable band 10 includes a bistable metal spring body 12 which is sized in length to fit around and overlap a wrist, forearm or other body part of a human being. The spring body 12 includes an arcuate portion 12 a in one position that acts to retain potential energy for dynamically deploying the band 10. The spring body 12 is known as a bistable spring that has two positions of operations, or two states of being. The first state is that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 where it is elongated and substantially rigid.

In its elongated position, the spring body 12 may be about ten inches to about 14.5 inches long, such as about 12 inches long. The spring body 12 may be about 0.3 to 1.5 inches wide, such as about 0.975 inches wide. The arcuate portion 12 a of the spring body 12 may have a radius of about 1.195 inches.

Once the spring body 12 is dynamically deployed by striking the middle of it against an object such as your wrist or forearm, the spring body 12 coils (as shown in FIG. 1) around the wrist, forearm or other body part of the user. The diameter of the spring body 12 in its coiled configuration may be from about 1.225 up to about 1.250 inches, although this may vary slightly depending upon the initial strength of the spring and the number of times the spring has been deployed. The above mentioned dimensions define the diameter of the spring body 12 when it is not wrapped around an object. If the spring body 12 is coiled around a wrist, forearm or other cylindrical limb or object, the diameter of the spring body 12 conforms to the diameter and shape of the object it is coiled around.

The spring body 12 may include a coating 18 that is food grade. For example, the coating 18 may be a food grade fabric, flexible plastic, silicone, rubber, and the like. A food grade material is defined as a material that does not harm a food or drink supply for consumption.

The spring body 12 includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface forms a convex shape, while the lower surface forms a concave shape. The dynamically deployable band 10 further includes a straw 14. The straw 14 is attached to the upper surface of the spring body 12. The straw 14 spans along a substantial length of the spring body 12. The straw 14 is a tube having a first opening 16 at a first end and a second opening 16 at a second end. When the spring body 12 is in the elongated and substantially rigid shape, a user may use the dynamically deployable band 10 as a straw. For example, the user may place the dynamically deployable band 10 in a cup of liquid and drink the liquid through the straw 14.

The straw 14 may be attached to a substantial portion of the spring body 12. In certain embodiments, a top portion of the straw 14 is detached from the spring body 12. For example, the straw 14 may be detached from the spring body 12 at about 0.5 inches up to about 1.5 inches from the top. A crease 20 may be formed on the spring body 12 perpendicular to the length of the spring body 12 at about 0.5 up to about 2 inches below the opening 16 of the straw 14. When the user uses the present invention as a straw, the user can separate the spring body 12 from the straw 14 to expose the tip of the straw 14 to drink from.

To use the present invention as a bracelet, the user would start with the dynamically deployable band 10 in the position shown in FIG. 3. The user would grasp one end of the dynamically deployable band 10 and mechanically and dynamically strike the entire dynamically deployable band 10 against the wrist, the forearm, or other part of the body of the person to whom the dynamically deployable band 10 will be attached, which could also be the operator. At this point, the spring body 12 is coiled, as in FIG. 1, around the user's wrist, forearm, body part, or suitably-shaped object.

To use the present invention as a straw, the user may remove the dynamically deployable band 10 and return the spring body 12 to the elongated rigid state shown in FIG. 3. To do so, the user manually pulls apart and separates both ends, and snaps the spring body 12 back to its original state until the spring body 12 is positioned in the elongated rigid position. The user may then place the dynamically deployable band 10 in a cup of liquid and drink the liquid through the straw 14.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dynamically deployable band comprising: a bistable metal spring body sized in length to coil around a limb of a human and having a straight state and a coiled state; and a straw comprising an elongated tube having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end, wherein the straw is coupled to and spans along a substantial length of the bistable metal spring body.
 2. The dynamically deployable band of claim 1, wherein the bistable metal spring body comprises an arcuate shape comprising a convex upper surface and a concave lower surface.
 3. The dynamically deployable band of claim 2, wherein the straw is coupled to the convex upper surface.
 4. The dynamically deployable band of claim 1, wherein the bistable metal spring body further comprises a coating made of a food grade material.
 5. The dynamically deployable band of claim 4, wherein the coating is silicone.
 6. A method of using a dynamically deployable band comprising steps of: providing the dynamically deployable band comprising: a bistable metal spring body having a straight state and a coiled state; and a straw comprising an elongated tube having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end, wherein the straw is coupled to and spans along a substantial length of the bistable metal spring body; grasping an end of the dynamically deployable band when the bistable metal spring body is in a straight position; and striking the dynamically deployable band against a limb, wherein the dynamically deployable band coils around the limb and thereby converts to the coiled state.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of: removing the dynamically deployable band from the limb; pulling apart ends of the dynamically deployable band, and thereby snapping the dynamically deployable band back to the straight state; and placing the dynamically deployable band into a cup, wherein a liquid is disposed within the cup.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of: drinking the liquid from the cup via the straw. 